>The ANSI Z358.1-1990 standard specified the distance to a safety >eyewash/shower be 100 feet or 10 seconds travelling time or 100 >feet. The 2004 version of the standard specifies 10 seconds. > >How do you define acceptable distance? >* By time only (10 secs.) >* By 10 secs./100 ft., or >* By 10 secs./A distance other than 100 ft. > >Please advise. > >"Inquiring minds want to know!" >Gordon Miller >Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory >P.O. Box 808 (L-379) >Livermore, California 94550 >(925) 423-8036 >Fax (925) 422-5176 >miller22**At_Symbol_Here**llnl.gov Standard disclaimer - my company is a Guardian Equipment distributor. We sell their eye washes, showers, and safety stations. Of course, that makes me fairly well qualified to respond to this question. The real issue is whether there any obstructions between the hazard and the safety station. Obviously, you don't want to have to go through 2 doors or up a couple stairs when you can't see or are covered in sulfuric acid (it's really slick), even if that distance is 10 feet rather than 100 feet. Guardian Equipment has a nice ANSI Z358.1-2004 compliance guide here: http://www.gesafety.com/pdf/ANSIGuide.pdf To quote that: In general, the ANSI standard provides that emergency equipment be installed within 10 seconds walking time from the location of a hazard. The equipment must be installed on the same level as the hazard (i.e. accessing the equipment should not require going up or down stairs or ramps). The path of travel from the hazard to the equipment should be free of obstructions and as straight as possible. However, there are certain circumstances where these guidelines may not be adequate. For example, where workers are handling particularly strong acids, caustics or other materials where the consequences of a spill would be very serious, emergency equipment should be installed immediately adjacent to the hazard. Laboratory environments may also require special consideration. It is common in many laboratory buildings to install emergency equipment in a corridor or hallway outside of the lab room. This may satisfy the provisions of the standard but still not provide workers with immediate access to emergency equipment. In these cases, we recommend installing combination eye wash/drench hose units at lab sinks (see page 7). These units are highly accessible and versatile. They provide immediate protection for the eyes, face or body when a spill involves a relatively small amount of hazardous material. Such deck or wall-mounted eye wash drench hoses are a nice way of adding protection to each laboratory as they consume only a small amount of work space. For pictures, examples, and diagrams see: http://www.SafetyEmporium.com/?04070-A http://www.SafetyEmporium.com/?04081-A If anyone has questions about these types of units etc, please ask. Finally, an additional comment for those planning or upgrading installations. Certain states and localities may require backflow preventers and/or thermostatic mixing valves (TMV's) on eye washes and showers. TMV's are required for emergency drench equipment under the 2003 International Plumbing Code (IPC). A list of states that have adopted the code is available at http://www.iccsafe.org/government/stateadoptions.pdf (you're looking for the IPC and the Comments columns in that chart). TMV's are certainly a Best Practice, but they can be more than the cost of an eye wash. I can elaborate further on this point if anyone desires me to do so. Best regards, Rob Toreki -- ===================================================== Safety Emporium - Lab & Safety Supplies featuring brand names you know and trust. Visit us at http://www.SafetyEmporium.com esales**At_Symbol_Here**safetyemporium.com or toll-free: (866) 326-5412 Fax: (859) 523-0606, 4905 Waynes Blvd, Lexington, KY 40513-1469
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